Follow mode on a gimbal allows the camera to smoothly track the operator's movements on specific axes, ensuring stable and cinematic footage while other axes remain locked or stabilized. It's a crucial feature for capturing dynamic shots without jarring movements.
One of the most common variations is Pan Follow (PF) mode, where the gimbal allows the camera to pan horizontally from left to right or right to left, while keeping the tilt and roll axes completely locked. This means the camera will always maintain a level horizon and won't tilt up or down, regardless of your hand movements. Pan Follow mode is exceptionally well-suited for capturing expansive landscapes, as it allows for smooth, sweeping shots across the horizon.
Understanding Common Gimbal Follow Modes
While Pan Follow is a widely used "follow mode," the term often encompasses several distinct modes designed for different shooting scenarios. These modes dictate which axes of the gimbal will follow your input and which will remain locked for stabilization.
1. Pan Follow (PF) Mode
This mode, as highlighted, is fundamental for smooth horizontal tracking.
- Axes Behavior:
- Pan Axis: Follows your horizontal rotation.
- Tilt Axis: Locked (prevents up/down tilting).
- Roll Axis: Locked (maintains a level horizon).
- Ideal Use Cases:
- Landscape shots: Smoothly sweeping across a panoramic view.
- Tracking subjects: Following a person or object moving horizontally across the frame.
- Establishing shots: Introducing a scene with a steady, broad perspective.
- Practical Insight: Because the tilt axis is locked, you can move your hand up and down, but the camera's vertical angle will remain fixed, ensuring a perfectly level and consistent eye-line for your footage.
2. Tilt Follow (Pitch Follow) Mode
Beyond just pan, many gimbals offer a mode that also follows vertical movements.
- Axes Behavior:
- Pan Axis: Follows your horizontal rotation.
- Tilt Axis: Follows your vertical rotation (tilting up/down).
- Roll Axis: Locked (maintains a level horizon).
- Ideal Use Cases:
- Following subjects: Tracking a subject that moves both horizontally and vertically (e.g., someone walking up stairs, a car going over a hill).
- Cinematic reveal shots: Slowly tilting up to reveal a building or a scene.
- Tracking shots: Moving around a subject while maintaining its position in the frame.
- Practical Insight: This mode offers more creative freedom than Pan Follow by allowing controlled vertical camera movements, but still keeps the horizon stable for a professional look.
3. All-Axis Follow (POV / FPV Mode)
For the most dynamic and immersive shots, all-axis follow modes empower the gimbal to mimic every movement of the operator.
- Axes Behavior:
- Pan Axis: Follows your horizontal rotation.
- Tilt Axis: Follows your vertical rotation.
- Roll Axis: Follows your roll (tilting left/right).
- Ideal Use Cases:
- First-person view (FPV) shots: Creating a subjective, immersive perspective.
- Dynamic action sequences: Simulating the camera operator's head movements for an energetic feel.
- Abstract or artistic shots: Intentionally introducing tilt for dramatic effect.
- Practical Insight: While offering immense creative freedom, shots in this mode require very smooth operator movement to avoid disorienting the viewer, as the horizon may not always remain level.
4. Sport Mode (Fast Follow)
Often an enhancement of an all-axis follow or a quick response pan/tilt follow, Sport Mode is designed for speed.
- Axes Behavior:
- Pan Axis: Follows rapidly.
- Tilt Axis: Follows rapidly (often optional or combined with pan).
- Roll Axis: Follows rapidly (often optional or combined).
- Ideal Use Cases:
- Fast-paced action: Capturing sports, running, or quick transitions.
- Tracking unpredictable subjects: When subjects move suddenly or change direction rapidly.
- Practical Insight: This mode increases the gimbal's motor speed and responsiveness, allowing it to keep up with faster movements, albeit sometimes at the expense of very subtle smoothness.
Why Use Follow Modes?
Utilizing follow modes on a gimbal is essential for achieving professional-looking, stable video footage. They enable:
- Smooth, Fluid Camera Movements: Eliminating jerky hand motions for a polished, cinematic feel.
- Effective Subject Tracking: Keeping subjects consistently in frame, even when they are moving.
- Creative Shot Variety: Unlocking the potential for diverse camera angles, from sweeping panoramas to dynamic, immersive perspectives.
- Reduced Post-Production Effort: Less time spent stabilizing shaky footage in editing.
Practical Tips for Using Gimbal Follow Modes
To get the most out of your gimbal's follow modes, consider these tips:
- Proper Balancing: Always ensure your camera and lens are perfectly balanced on the gimbal before use. This reduces motor strain and improves stabilization.
- Smooth Operator Input: Even with follow modes, the smoother your own movements, the better the final footage will be. Practice walking and panning fluidly.
- Test Each Mode: Familiarize yourself with how each follow mode behaves and which scenarios they suit best.
- Adjust Motor Strength: Some gimbals allow you to customize motor strength and responsiveness, which can fine-tune how aggressively the gimbal follows your movements.
Comparison of Common Gimbal Follow Modes
| Mode | Pan Axis | Tilt Axis | Roll Axis | Primary Use Case | Horizon Level? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pan Follow (PF) | Follows | Locked | Locked | Landscapes, horizontal subject tracking | Yes |
| Tilt Follow (TF) | Follows | Follows | Locked | Vertical tracking, cinematic reveals | Yes |
| All-Axis Follow (POV) | Follows | Follows | Follows | Immersive FPV shots, dynamic camera movements | No |
| Sport Mode | Follows | Follows | Follows | Fast-paced action, quick subject tracking | No |
By understanding and utilizing the various follow modes available on a gimbal, filmmakers and videographers can significantly enhance the quality and versatility of their footage, turning ordinary shots into cinematic sequences.
